A TOP Midland breast cancer surgeon at the centre of a patient recall has been banned from working at an NHS hospital.

Ian Paterson’s ‘cleavage sparing’ mastectomy practices were investigated and called into question at Solihull Hospital, which is part of the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust.

An internal probe found the surgeon was leaving a small amount of breast tissue around the cleavage, for cosmetic reasons, on some of his patients.

Most surgeons follow national guidelines to not leave excess breast tissue as it could increase a risk of cancer returning.

This led to the immediate recall of 12 patients treated by Mr Paterson and further monitoring for cancer re-emergence for another 60.

One of these patients previously told how she received a payout after she redeveloped breast cancer since surgery.

Solihull Hospital has confirmed that it has “currently excluded” Mr Paterson from the trust.

The surgeon also works at private hospitals, the Spire Little Aston and Solihull’s Spire Parkway. They said they were also writing to patients treated by Mr Paterson, who is no longer operating at either hospital. Heart of England NHS Trust has set up an advice line for any concerned patients.

One patient, who did not wish to be named, said: “It has been hugely traumatic. I welcome the fact that the hospital are being proactive. The most important thing is that these ladies are given the opportunity to get the right treatment.” The hospital said that a review of breast surgery services in 2007 identified that a surgical technique for mastectomies used by Mr Paterson required closer scrutiny to establish whether it represented best practice.

A statement said: “The Trust’s position, after careful consideration, was that the technique was not an approach considered appropriate going forward, and the method was therefore stopped. We then began a process of identifying patients who may have undergone this procedure, to ensure we reviewed their current clinical condition.

“The Trust is currently continuing to invite all of Mr Paterson’s patients who underwent a mastectomy to see an alternative surgeon for a review of their treatment and care.

“This includes patients who have been discharged.”

Overseeing professional body, the General Medical Council, is investigating the matter.

The body said Mr Paterson is on the register with a licence to practice.

If investigators find there is a disciplinary case to answer, Mr Paterson will be ordered to appear before a GMC fitness to practice panel. A Solihull Hospital spokeswoman, said: “We can confirm that Ian Paterson is currently excluded from the Trust.”

A spokeswoman for Spire Little Aston and Parkway hospitals said: “We are continuing to work closely with the Trust to ensure patients who may be affected are given the appropriate advice.

“We are writing to Mr Paterson’s patients who underwent a mastectomy. We can confirm that Mr Paterson’s practice is restricted.”